Why Most Business Strategies Fail (And What to Do Instead)

Why Most Business Strategies Fail (And What to Do Instead)

By Katie Turner — Founder of Katie & Co.

Every business owner starts with a vision — but somewhere between idea and execution, many strategies fall apart.
It’s not because founders aren’t smart or driven. It’s because most strategies are built in a vacuum, without testing in the real world.

Here’s why they fail — and what you can do differently.

Reason #1 — No Clear Measurable Goals

A goal like “grow the business” sounds nice, but it’s not a strategy.
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.

Do this instead:
Set specific targets (e.g. “Increase recurring revenue by 20% in 90 days”) and build actions around them.

Reason #2 — Too Much Theory, Not Enough Action

Reading books and attending webinars is great — but if you’re not implementing, you’re just stockpiling ideas.

Do this instead:
Work in short action cycles. Test, review, adapt. Your strategy should evolve with every real-world result you collect.

Reason #3 — Ignoring Customer Feedback

Some founders treat customer feedback as an afterthought.
That’s dangerous — your customers are literally giving you the blueprint for better products, offers, and experiences.

Do this instead:
Create consistent touchpoints for feedback and actually act on it. The fastest-growing businesses adapt to customer needs faster than competitors.

The Katie & Co. Difference

At Katie & Co., we build strategies inside active businesses. We test in real time, refine based on results, and keep you accountable so your ideas turn into action — and your action turns into revenue.

If you’re ready to build a strategy that actually works in the real world, join us at Katie & Co. and get the support you need to move faster.